Officials from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport reported only six survivors in a statement.

And reacting swiftly to the news the governing body announced that all football activity in the region is now suspended until further notice.

Doctors at a hospital waiting for wounded victims of the Chapecoense plane crash in Colombia (Photo: Twitter)

"The South American Football Confederation confirms that it has been notified by Colombian authorities that a plane that was carrying the delegation of Brazil Chapecoense Atletico had an accident on its arrival in Colombia," they announced in a statement.

"We are in contact with the authorities and awaiting official progress. CONMEBOL greatly regrets what happened.

"All activities of the Confederation are suspended until further notice."

It was also announced that CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez is on his way to Medellín.

The Copa do Brasil final between Grêmio & Atlético MG has also been postponed.

A video shared on Twitter claimed to show the moment the plane disappeared from view on flight radar.

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Emergency services near a scene of a plane crash close to Medellin (Photo: Facebook/Aviación Comercial en Colombia)

The plane reportedly crashed due to lack of fuel at around 10.15pm local time.

It is thought to have come down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union, according to Mi Oriente.

Colombia has been hit by heavy storms which are hampering rescue efforts.

Suspected path of flight CP 2933 (Photo: Twitter)

"The site of the accident is only accessible by land due to climatic conditions and low visibility," a statement from the airport said.

"The Colombian Air Force deployed a search and rescue helicopter which had to cancel the mission due to the adverse conditions.

"According to the authorities the police are mobilising all possible help since they are reporting six survivors."

Colombian news website Noticias Caracol tweeted what is purported to be the first pictures of the wreckage.

Mirror Online has not been able to independently verify the images.

Brazil's Chapecoense players pose for pictures during the semi-final last week (Photo: Getty)

The Brazilian football team Chapecoense pictured on board a plane (Photo: Twitter)

There have reportedly been a number of fatalities although an exact number is as yet unknown.

At least 10 people have been injured and are being evacuated from the scene, the commander of La Union fire department said, according to the website.

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Chapecoense had reached the finals of the Copa Sudamericana by beating Argentina's San Lorenzo over two legs in the semi-finals, which concluded last week.

A picture of the team on board a plane has been tweeted but it is unclear whether it was taken before the doomed flight.

Earlier in the day, the Chapocoense football team’s official Facebook page posted a video of the players waiting to board the flight at Viru Viru International Airport in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.